Border Mail | LOCKHART captain John Hoey made an inspirational return for the Demons in their thrilling win over Billabong Crows at Lockhart on Saturday.
After being sidelined since round one with an infection on the lining of the brain, Hoey was called into the line-up hours before the match when Josh Maniscalo withdrew from the side.
Hoey kicked the match-winning point from 40 metres with three minutes left on the clock to hand Lockhart its second victory of the season.
It was the first time the home team had led for the match.
“It was great to see him back,” coach Shane Lenon said.
“He’s a ripping bloke and really good clubman.
“He thought he had a virus after playing against Culcairn but it turned out to be a lot more serious than that.
“The next day he went down and thought he had a stroke.
“He’s had a tough time of it and has come out the other side.
“He was given the all clear to play by the doctors and it was fantastic that he kicked the winning point.”
Lockhart, who will face Rand-Walbundrie-Walla on May 28 after having the next fortnight off, trailed by up to four goals before storming home.
Midfielders Jeremy Sykes and Jordan Harrington were outstanding while Blake Jones and Zac Gallaway also turned in strong performances.
The Crows led for most of the contest through the good work of Tom Hofert, Nick Stevens and Al Austin.
Stevens did plenty of work in the midfield and capped off a near afield performance with four goals while resting in attack.
Lenon said the win was a small step forward for the Demons.
“We’ve just got to hang in there,” he said.
“All we are trying to do is improve each week and getting seven or eight players back after the interleague is going to help.
“It was a good, gutsy win by the boys.”
Lockhart officially opened its new netball courts on Saturday.
Rand-Walbundrie-Walla scored a hard-fought eight-point win over Culcairn at Walla.
Spurred on by the biggest home and away crowd at the ground since the club’s centenary celebration weekend against Henty in 2003, the Giants raced clear in the third term on the back of good games from Charlie Williams, Mick Hamilton, Myles Aalbers and Ryan Lavery.
Culcairn, who missed spearhead Trent Perczyk through injury, hit back through Dane Hallinan and Drue Mortlock but fell just short.
